Robbie Dixon breaks leg at Copper

Robbie Dixon -

Canadian Alpine Ski Team veteran Robbie Dixon suffered a serious leg injury after crashing during a race in Copper Mountain, USA, on Thursday.

The 27-year-old from Whistler, B.C., was taking part in a FIS race as part of his preparations for the Lake Louise World Cup, which gets underway in Alberta next week.

Dixon landed after a jump and caught an edge. He suffered a tib-fib fracture of the right leg and is due to have surgery in Vail, Colo., Thursday evening. No timeframe has been set for Dixon’s return but it is expected to be a long-term injury.

“It’s a hard one to swallow given how the last couple of years have gone,” said Dixon, who battled back from a serious concussion and had been looking forward to getting his 2012-13 World Cup season underway next week.

“I caught an edge and one thing led to another. I’m going to stay positive. I’m fortunate to have some pretty amazing teammates who I can call my friends. They’re supporting me and I know they’ve got my back.”

Dixon is one of Canada’s most gifted speed skiers. The 2010 Olympian has racked up 11 top-10 World Cup results and last year came agonizingly close to securing his first podium when he finished fourth in the super-G in Beaver Creek, USA.